Honors
Physical Science
Spring
2003
Syllabus
TEACHING APPROACH
Physical Science 91A is an honors level course
which covers some of the basics of the study of motion and its causes including
Newton's Laws of motion and the concept of energy. The development of higher
order thinking skills is begun in the 91A course is stressed and continued
throughout the Walton Science program. It is also stressed that science
is an experiential subject and must also be experienced first hand to truly
be understood. With this in mind most of the class time is spent with hands
on activities as well as minds on discussions based on student experiences.
Each Unit provides a list of objectives, text
references, vocabulary, and real world applications designed to help the
student appreciate the importance of the content in her/his life.
For more information on how the couse is conducted
please refer to the Philosophy of
The Teters Zone.
TOPICS OF STUDY
-
Linear Motion - Distance, time,
and direction are required to completely describe the motion of an object.
Concepts of speed, velocity, and acceleration are explored. Problem solving
and graphing are introduced here.
-
Newton's Laws of Motion
- Sir Isaac Newton developed three laws of motion which explain why objects
move as they do. Inertia, mass, force, and momentum are the main focus
here. Also discussed are freefall and terminal velocity.
-
Work, Energy, Simple machines -
The root of all the motion is energy. Using machines to make work easier.
Conservation of energy.
-
Thermal Energy - A look at energy
at the molecular level and what we call heat. The Amazing Flaming cheezePuff,
need I say more?
GRADING POLICY
The grading for this course will be done with a points system with a
tentative maximum of 1229 points possible. The following are the
approximate
letter grade point requirements:
Letter Grade Desired
|
Minimum # of points
|
A (90+)
|
1106
|
B (80+)
|
983
|
C (74+)
|
909
|
D (70+)
|
860
|
F (69-)
|
859 and less
|
Although little stress is put on rigid deadlines, some limitations must
be put on the amount of time some students will allow to transpire before
turning in assignments. It simply is not beneficial educationally or scientifically
to allow your work to become stale in your mind. The following rule may
be invoked, at your teacher's discretion, for Explorations, Laboratories,
and STS Articles.
The grade for any work turned in late can receive no
more than 100% of your grade on that Unit's test. No work will be accepted
after the next Unit test has been given. Example: you turn in the
Wave Lab late, you did well - 75 points. On the Wave test you earned 80
points. Your final recorded late lab grade would be 80% of 75 points which
is 60 points.
Brief descriptions of the different assignments are listed below, more
detailed descriptions can be found at
How do I do that?
DAILY ( 1 of each per Unit)
Daily classwork and homework assignments are used as part of the learning
process. These consist of in class activities as well as practice worksheets.
Although many of these items are not graded, each student is expected to
work through these assignments on time and be able to discuss and ask questions
about the material in class. Your effort in this area will determine how
much you get out of this course, which most students measure as a "grade".
There are two assignments that must be completed each Unit.
-
baseQuiz (20 pts) - You
will be assigned the following textbook work: "Section Review" and "Learning
the Lingo". This work is for your benefit, the quiz will be the recorded
grade. If you do the work to your teacher's satisfaction you may retake
the parts of the quiz you did not show mastery of. The
baseQuiz will be given about one week after receiving the Unit Guide.
-
Exploration
(20 pts *L) - Short activities/demonstrations/mini-labs done
either in class or on your own. There will always be one done in class
if not more. These are designed to allow you hands on experience with the
science being learned. One of these will be due the day before the
test .
LABORATORY (4 @75 points each
*L)
These labs are meant to be done the the first week of the Unit to guide
you in "discovering" the concepts that will be detailed during the unit.
These are almost exclusively performed in groups of three or more, while
your final product will also have individual requirements for you
to turn in as well. The lab must be turned in by the test for that Unit
for full credit.
NOTEBOOK (4 @15 points
each)
Your teacher will check your notebook at the end of each Unit. The notebook
will need to have a Table of Contents, a gradesheet, course syllabus materials,
course materials and work, all in a three ring binder.
STS Article (2 @20 points
each *L)
Each 9 weeks you must turn in a Science, Technology, and Society article
accompanied by a summary and response. It must come from the Units covered
during that 9 weeks and may be turned in at any time during theat 9 week
period.
workQUIZ (4 @16 points
each)
The workQuiz is a check of your class participation as well as your
content knowledge before the test. THis will be given the day before each
Unit test.
TEST (4 @100 points each)
- you will receive a Unit guide after the previous Unit test.
-
The tests in this course are designed to measure
your learning in each Unit as well as your ability to communicate that
learning in an approprite manner.
-
All tests will consist of a combination of the following
as is appropriate for the material being evaluated:
-
Part I
(1) Multiple Choice
(2) Fill in the blank
(3) True/False
(4) Drill/performance (points vary) -
showing science skills: conversions, organizing,
graphing, measuring, etc...
(5) Problems (6 points each) - Calculations
of quantities, all work, significant figures,
and units must be shown (K-U-E-S). I give credit
FOR WHAT I SEE YOU DO CORRECTLY.
(6) Discussion/explanation
-
The initial taking of the test usually takes two class periods.
-
Part II
You should correct your test to receive half credit for a completely
corrected test. Test corrections
are to be completed by the deadline provided by your teacher.
-
If you are absent for a test you must make it up prior to the test for
the next Unit or you will receive a zero for that test.
Final Project (1)
-
This project will be completed during the last two weeks before finals.
-
You may participate in your instructor's project or you may work on one
of your own. You may work in a small group, three or fewer students, or
individually.
FINAL EXAM (1* @200 points)
-
Multiple choice (2 pts each) + 1 - 5 drill/performance; totaling 200 points.
-
Detailed cumulative of entire semester.
-
You should keep all Unit Guides, materials, and tests
from the semester to help you prepare for the final. You will
not
be given a Final Exam review sheet.
MISCELLANEOUS/TIPS
-
Complete all assignments on time. (use your Agenda)
-
Labs, quizzes, and tests should be done neatly and in pencil.
-
All questions should be answered in complete thoughts
that allow the reader to understand what the question is without having
seen the question. Otherwise write the question and answer.
-
Review notes/study daily for 10 - 15 quiet minutes (
no TV, radio, etc.) even if there is no specified homework assignment.
-
You are responsible for finding out your assignments when your are absent,
for any reason, and setting an appointment with your teacher to complete
your work.
-
Keep a GRADESHEET. (keep in your notebook
) Do not rely on the internet grade system, it seems to be down when you
need it (Murphy's Law). Not to mention it's part of your notebook grade!
If you have your grades, I will gladly compare notes with you, otherwise
you are on your own. NOTE: For incentive purposes I am only obligated to
let you know if you are passing and if you can exempt.